Pathways Issue 10 Summer 2006 Article Summaries and References

 

Letter from the Editor:
Jeanne Ohm, DC

I just spent the last several days in bed with a flu and raging fever. The first day I sulked. Who needs this? The second day I fasted on fruit and water. Temperatures were elevating and there were moments of delirium. I anxiously awaited the pinnacle of letting a fever run its course – the break into a full body sweat. I am a firm believer in allowing symptoms to run their course and avoiding suppression with drugs, because that suppression only drives the illness deeper. The flu is a viral overload. The body raises the temperature to the specific degree it needs to be at to address that overload. A healthy system is able to handle these temperature elevations and they are a sign of normal body function. The more toxicity in the body, however, the more difficult the whole process becomes.

By the third day, I was still in the dry heat/chills stage. I was becoming a bit concerned. Where was the sweat? Where was the breaking point? I couldn’t last too much longer with these elevating temperatures. What is the boiling point of human body fluids?

I began to consume ginger root tea by the jarful. Somehow the burning sensation of the ginger was mild compared to the heat of my body. It was soothing to the chills. The flavor, the warmth, the liquid- it was the first drink that my body kept going back for more. And so I did. Several, spicy jars later, I intimately experienced visceral effects of ginger. It aided in heat production!  My skin temperature reached a level comparable to a hot griddle. And then finally, the glorious sweat came– oceans of it poured out of me. Now I craved water. I was envious of fish. Truly they lived the glorious life. Then I knew to restore my electrolyte balance and I selected miso soup.

Here is my purpose in sharing this. All in all I had four days of what could be considered “an awful illness”. In reality, I was given an opportunity to do a complete cleansing fast, experience what was very comparable to a sweat lodge, to be alone,  reflect on old patterns that needed to change – wow—very similar to some of the healing retreats out there all in the comforts of my own home!

The reason why I was hit so hard by this was because my body was in need of a housecleaning. Do you remember Dr. Phil Incao’s article, “Not a Battle but a Housecleaning” (Pathway’s Issue 6)?  In his article he discusses the importance of these “house cleanings” and when we neglect to initiate them on our own, our bodies will do us the service. I had innately known this, and was planning a time of pulling myself “away from it all” and do a major meditative, restorative detox. As life would have it, I kept saying “next week”, “soon”, “after this project”. The wonderful wisdom of my body had a clearer insight into my needs and seized this time as perfect. How fulfilling to allow my body to complete this process without suppressing and hindering it.

This is most important point I want to leave you with: the huge value of allowing an “illness” to run its course without suppressing its symptoms. Reread Dr. Incao’s article. His perspective may be life saving in your ability to turn “illness” into “a healing retreat”. Also, in this issue of Pathways, pay close attention to Dr. Moskowitz’s article. He explains vaccines do not enhance immunity, but through suppression actually hinder normal immune system function. When “choosing to vaccinate or not” our concerns about the thimerosal,  the age of the child,  the amount of dosages per shot, or selectively choosing shots are minor compared to the effects of irreversibly altering this wonderful mechanism we call the immune system.

Feature Article:

How Do Vaccines Work?
Richard Moskowitz, MD

The above article was excerpted from Dr. Richard Moscowitz's article: "The Case Against Immunizations" published on his website: http://members.aol.com/doctorrmosk/articles/immunizations_1.html

This insightful perspective offfers parents the underlying reasons how vaccines affect the immunse system function.

It begins, "It is dangerously misleading and indeed false to claim that a vaccine makes us "immune" or “protects” us against an acute disease. In fact it only drives the infection deeper into the interior and causes us to harbor it chronically, with the result that our responses to it become weaker and weaker, and show less and less tendency to heal or resolve themselves spontaneously. To consider that possibility, I will examine the process of coming down with and recovering from a typical acute disease like the measles, in contrast to what we can observe after giving the measles vaccine..."

Notes
1. Phillips, C., "Measles," in Vaughan, et al., Nelson's Pediatrics, 11th Ed., Saunders, 1979, p. 857.
2. Davis, B., et al., Microbiology, 2nd Ed., Harper, 1973, p. 1346.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid., p. 1342.
5. Ibid., p. 1418.
6. Hayflick, L., "Slow Viruses," Executive Health Report, Feb. 1981, p. 4.
7. Ibid., pp. 1-4.
8. Davis, op. cit., pp. 1418-1449.
9. Burnet, M., The Integrity of the Body, Atheneum, 1966, p. 68.
10. Talai, N., "Autoimmunity," in Fudenberg, Basic Clinical Immunology, 3rd Ed., Lange, 1980, p. 222.
11. Hayflick, op. cit., p. 4.

 

Supporting Article:

From the National Vaccine Information Center comes their guidelines for parents prior to vaccinating their children. The NVIC can be visited at: www.909shot.com

Wellness Lifestyle:

The Energy of an Embrace

Our Wellness Lifestyle column contributes suggestions and ideas relevant to health and well-being on all levels. This months article comes from Daily Om, a newsletter for inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. You can register for free at: www.dailyom.com to receive these wonderful messages.

Nutritional Nuggets:

Help for Parents of Hard-to-Raise Kids

This article addresses the relationship between food, behavior and learning from the Feingold perspective. Developed by Ben F. Feingold, MD, this method has been show to offer children (and parents) the guidelines to a healthier diet and lifestyle.

The Feingold Program uses foods and other products that are free of synthetic (artificial) colors, synthetic (artificial) flavors, aspartame, and the antioxidant preservatives BHA, BHT, and TBHQ.

Initially aspirin and foods that contain natural salicylates (such as apples, oranges and tomatoes) are removed.  After a favorable response has been established they may be reintroduced.

References:
 1. Foods and Additives are Common Causes of the Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in Children, Boris M, Mandel F, Annals of Allergy, May 1994, Vol. 72, pp. 462-8
 2. Controlled Trial of Oligoantigenic Treatment in the Hyperkinetic Syndrome, Egger J, Graham PJ, Soothill JF, Carter CM, Gumley D, The Lancet, March 9, 1985
3. Food Dyes Impair Performance of Hyperactive Children on a Laboratory Learing Test, Swanson J, Kinsbourne M, Science Magazine, March 28, 1980, Vol 207, pp. 1485-7
4. The effects of a double blind placebo controlled artificial food colourings and benzoate preservatives challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of pre-school children, Bateman B et al., Archives of Diseases in Childhood, June 2004
5.  Favorable effect of a standard elimination diet on the behavior of young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a pilot study. L. Pelsser et al., Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 146(52);2543-7, Dec 2002­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Additonal Resources:
Why Can't My Child Behave?  Why Can't She Cope? Why Can't He Learn? by Jane Hersey
Healthier Food for Busy People by Jane Hersey
What are all those funny things in food?  Introductory workshop by Jane Hersey (audio CD)

All of the above are available from the Feingold Association of the United States
554 East Main Street, Suite 301, Riverhead NY 11901 (800) 321-3287  www.feingold.org

Chiropractic for Life:

Baby Wearing:
Suggestions for Carrying Your Baby: A Chiropractic Perspective
Jeanne Ohm, DC

This article offers parents practical guidelines for carrying their babies - guideleins that support the parent's and infant's postural development for maximum nerve function.

From the article:
" There has been much interest in the media about carrying our babies. Outside of the variety of car seats (being awkwardly used to carry the baby) and the traditional stroller, many parents are now opting to “wear” their babies. Numerous baby carriers are now available to choose from. In general, parents are looking for greater insight in choosing the methods of carrying their infants. Here is some insight from the chiropractic perspective.:

"In chiropractic we frequently say, “structure determines function”; primarily, the spine determines the function of the nervous system. In chiropractic we recognize that the nervous system controls all body systems. Therefore, a nervous system stressed by a compromised structure will affect the body’s overall ability to be healthy. One significant way our spinal structures become impaired is through irregular, repetitive postures. New parents need to be aware that the means they choose to carry their babies has postural effects on both themselves and their children..."

Pregnancy Matters:

Midwives
Jeanne Ohm, DC

This section on pregnancy brings greater insight to parents about the choices made during pregnancy that support, natural, easier, safer births. This Pathways issue relates the similarities between the essential core philosphies of midwives and chiropractors and how they blend as a wonderful team in pregnancy and birth.

Birth:

Pain in Labour:
your hormones are your helpers
Sarah, J Buckley, MD

Outstanding author, instructor and practitioner, Dr. Buckley gives mothers the insight and understanding about the role of hormones and their relationship to pain in labour.

From the article:
"Why does birth seem so easy for our animal friends when it is so difficult for us? One obvious difference is the altered shape of the pelvis and birth outlet that is caused by our upright stance; our babies need to twist and turn to navigate these unique bends. Even our nearest cousins, the great apes, have a near-straight birth canal.
"However, in every other way, human birth is like that of other mammals (animals that suckle their young) and involves the same hormones—the body’s chemical messengers. These hormones, which originate in the deepest and oldest parts of our brain, cause the physical processes of labour and birth, as well as exerting a powerful influence on our emotions and behaviour. .."

Read more about Dr. Buckley here: http://www.sarahjbuckley.com/html/about.htm

Breastfeeding:

Nursing Discreetly- Breastfeeding in Public
Part Two
This article addresses a rising concern about breastfeeding in public and offers solutions to helpchange the limited views about this normal, natural process. It was reprinted with permission from the owners of this website: www.007b.com/breastfeeding_public.php

Parenting:

The 5- Minute Solution
Scott Noelle

This article addresses a situation most parents have found themselves in and offers a simple, loving solution.
From the article:
" The scene: I was working diligently at the computer in my home office when my 2.5-year-old daughter, Willow, approached my desk and grabbed a pile of 4x6-inch photos that I had carelessly left within her reach. These pictures of our older daughter and a friend had been sent to us by the friend's mother, and replacing the pictures would have been inconvenient if not impossible.
" Given Willow's developmental stage — where "looking" at the pictures might include folding, ripping, and coloring them — I reacted from fear and stood up from my desk to rescue the photos from the wild-child!..."

About the author:
Scott Noelle lives in the United States, near Seattle, with his wife Beth and their two daughters. A longtime advocate of conscious, holistic, instinctive, natural parenting, Scott now offers telephone-based coaching to support progressive parents worldwide. His free E-zine, Transforming Parenthood, is available online at www.scottnoelle.com

Mind Body:

Get Moving and Boost Your Brain Power
Tim De Canio, DC

Dr. De Canio addrss the importance of movement and neurological function for overall greater health and well-being.

From the article:
I am often asked by parents, “Dr. Tim, how can movement of the spine help strengthen my child’s brain [nervous system] now and in the future?”  Well, half your child’s nerve impulses are sent from the brain to tell the body what to do (jump, sit, run, etc.), and then back to the brain, through the spinal cord.  The sole purpose of these nerves is to stimulate the brain via movement.  Movement charges your brain's “battery” while also allowing you a greater opportunity to think more clearly, behave correctly, have more energy, and most important function better.

About the Author:
Tim DeCanio, D.C., D.A.C.N.B is a Family Chiropractor and a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist who has a succesful practice in Royal Palm Beach, FL

Family Life:

Handling Unwanted Advice
Elizabeth Pantley

Pricelss suggestions and strategies for parents when encountering the well meaning, advise giver.

From the article:
“Help! I’m getting so frustrated with the endless stream of advice I get from my mother-in-law and brother! No matter what I do, I’m doing it wrong. I love them both, but how do I get them to stop dispensing all this unwanted advice?”
"Just as your baby is an important part of your life, he is also important to others. People who care about your baby are bonded to you and your child in a special way that invites their counsel. Knowing this may give you a reason to handle the interference gently, in a way that leaves everyone’s feelings intact.
Regardless of the advice, it is your baby, and in the end, you will raise your child the way that you think best. So it’s rarely worth creating a war over a well-meaning person’s comments. You can respond to unwanted advice in a variety of ways..."

About the Author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the best-selling author of "Gentle Baby Care", an excellent book offering parents information on numerous topics relative to having children. She is frequently quoted as a parenting expert in national magazines She's also a mother of four. Both this book and her first book, 'The No Cry Sleep Solution" cna be ordered from her website: http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/

Seasonal:

Joanne G. Crane, CNHP
Certified Natural Health Professional in VA. She is also very active with Families for Natural Living a non-profit grass roots parental organization. Joanne can be contacted via her website:
www.mynsp.com/crane

Research Review:

This section is a compilation of current research relevant to children and pregnancy. Some of the cited studies address:
Pacifier Use Warning
The Relationship between Antiobiotics and Asthma
benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping


Parent's Perspective:

This section offers testimonials from parents about the wonderful results they have experienced with their families under chiropractic care. This month's story is about chiropractic care in a newborn with respiratory distress and her immediate results for better function after her chiropractic care.

Family Wellness Forum;

In this column, we address questions parents have about care in pregnancy, birth and for their children's health. this month, we offer insight and definition for the Webster Technique, a popular adjusting technique used throughout pregnancy to optimize normal body function. Read more about the Webster Technique here: http://www.icpa4kids.com/webster_technique.htm

 

 

Pathways Current Supporters:

Arm's Reach Co-sleeper.
This wonderful creation offers parents an easy way to incorporate the significant benefits of co-sleeping into their lives. Visit www.armsreach.com or call 800 954-9353.

Maman Kangourou Baby Carriers.
This company offers versatile and ergonomic baby carriers providing both the wearer and the baby comfort and safety. Visit: http://www.mamakangaroo.com/ to view their selection.

Gano Excel
All of these food and health products contain Ganoderma Extract from the "Miraculous king of Herbs" - the Reishi Mushroom. For a complete list of products and information about the healing properties of the Reishi mushroom, visit: www.fanoexcel.biz in the US and www.ganoexcel.ca in Canada.

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
This outstanding book by Sarah J Buckley, MD offers parents essential tools and insight about birth and mothering with the wisdom and science of choices for gentle pregnacy, birth and mothering.
To order your copy, visit: www.sarahjbuckley.com

My Brest Friend.
To read more about this innovative, ergonomic pillow, visit: www.mybrestfriend.com or call 415 883 5300.

La Leche League World Breastfeeding Week
LLL is celebrating its 50th anniversary with World Breastfeeding Week Celebration all across America. Take this opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of this valuable non-profit organization ad resd more about their services here: www.lalecheleague.org

Childhood Vaccination: Questions all Parents Should Ask
Written by Tedd Koren, DC, this book will give you the latest information on the vaccine controversy and provide you with essential information to make an informed health car choice for your children. Visit www.korenpublications.com to read more and order your copy.

If you purchase any of these products or utilize these services, be sure to tell them you heard about them from Pathways. Also if you know companies interested in advertising in Pathways, please have them call us at 610 5652360.

 

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